Kathy

Dear Mr. Chang,

I appreciate that you can give us such a wonderful talk. I agree with you that Chinese ‘guanxi’ is not just built on drinking baijiu and playing golf. In fact, connections which build on those entertainment are quite brittle and transient. I think the best way to build network is to allow others to recognize your strength and specialty. If they do, they will be attracted by you and have deep impression about you. Then, they will think that you are worthy to talk and you are worthy to get their help. Then a strong quanxi is built and people can use social strategies to secure or facilitate their guanxi.

Apart from guanxi, I think the four step leader strategy is also quite right: 1) career goals, strength of personal values; 2) performance; 3) network; 4) share idea with people. I think career goal allows me to have a big picture for the future. And I know what to do and where should I spread my passion on. If I have very clear career goal, I will be less confused and have little hesitation on the way of persuading my aim. Then, I think that finding out my strength and specialty can help me to build my confidence, which can make me to be more persistent. Performance is the next big step because it shows my attitude to the work. Both my boss and subordinates can be influenced by my performance. I should show my passion, enjoyment and responsibility in my work. After I have improved myself, I should use my network to get more information or resources. Communication is the lubrication in the network. I should let others know what I want to do and how they can help me. I think people should be direct when they explain what they need because clear information can shorten the time to solve problems. Sometimes if I can share my idea with someone, they will give me opportunity when they have it. Don’t wait for others to guess what I am thinking because no one will do it. Therefore, sharing ideas with people is crucial.

Your presentation is helpful for me to think of what I want to be and what I want to do. Although I don’t have answer yet, I greatly appreciate that you force me to think deeper.

Sincerely,

Kathy